Annual Report 2011-2012
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Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services Annual Report 20122011-12 Purpose of this Annual Report The 2011-12 Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with section 28 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act and the Financial Management Act. It also meets the obligations for annual reporting specified in theInformation Act. Its primary purpose is to report on the agency’s performance, objectives and activities in 2011-12 to its ministers, the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, other agencies, staff, industry partners, the Northern Territory community and other interested stakeholders. The 2011-12 annual report summarises our progress towards achieving our strategic goals, as outlined in our Corporate Plan 2010-2013, and reflects our commitment to effective corporate governance through openness and accountability. It aims to provide: • an account of our revenue and revenue policies and how we have used public funds • an insight into the challenges and opportunities that have influenced our actions and delivery of services • an assessment of our achievements under three strategic goals measured against a range of performance indicators. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES www.nt.gov.au Level 2, RCG House, 83-‐85 Smith Street, Darwin Postal address GPO Box 4621 Darwin NT 0801 Tel 08 8999 8472 www.nt.gov.au The Hon Peter Chandler MLA Minister for Housing Parliament House DARWIN NT 0800 The Hon Adam Giles MLA Minister for Local Government Parliament House DARWIN NT 0800 The Hon Alison Anderson MLA Minister for Regional Development Minister for Indigenous Advancement Parliament House DARWIN NT 0800 Dear Ministers Section 28 of Public the Sector Employment and Management and Act the Financial Management Act, requires that in our capacity as Chief Executive Officers of the Departments of Housing and Local Government and the Department of Regional Development and Indigenous Advancement, we present you with a report on the operations of the ousing, former Department of H Local Government and Regional Services for the financial year ended 30 June 2012. The report is enclosed, and incorporates the financial statement required under section Financial 10 of the Management Act for NT Home Ownership for the same period. The annual report and financial statement were prepared on the basis of information compiled by the former agency's executive management team. As neither of us was the Chief Executive Officer for the former agency at any time during the relevant period, we are unable to verify or warrant the accuracy of the information contained in the documents although they appear to contain the information required by the relevant legislation. Yours sincerely John Baskerville Rob Kendrick Chief Executive Acting Chief Executive Department of Housing Department of Regional Development and Department of Local Government Indigenous Advancement 19 October 2012 19 October 2012 2012 Chief Executives’ Message 2 Our Leadership Team 5 2011-12 Significant Events 9 Agency Overview 12 1 Our Environment, Vision and Structure 12 Our Agency Snapshot 15 Contents Regional Snapshots 18 Our People 30 2 Demographics 33 Corporate Learning and Development 36 Health and Wellbeing 44 Reporting Against Employment Instructions 46 Corporate Governance 48 3 Corporate Governance 48 Risk Management 52 Governing Legislation 58 Corporate Communications 59 Community Consultation 61 External Boards and Committees 64 2012Environmental Management 66 Translating Strategy into Action 68 4 Strategic Goal 1 69 Strategic Goal 2 77 Performance Management 84 5 Output Reporting 85 Financial Statements 98 6 Agency Reporting 98 NT Home Ownership Reporting 124 7 Appendices 144 ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 1 356 new remote public housing dwellings built 805 refurbishments and rebuilds completed 87 new social housing dwellings Chief Executives’ Message We present the annual report of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services for 2011-12. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Our planning framework is collaborative and consultative. Regional Services delivers social housing programs and Ongoing reviews of this framework guide our actions and related infrastructure across the Territory. The department keep us on track in achieving our goals. builds stronger regions and communities through sustainable economic development and effective local This annual report provides a comprehensive account of government, provides interpreter and translator services, the agency’s functions and performance against approved and delivers water safety and animal welfare programs. budgets and resources for 2011-12. Throughout it you will see our strategic goals from our Corporate Plan highlighted, The services and programs the agency delivers are based and references to specific budget outputs. The report also on strong partnerships and relationships with non- provides information about the agency’s responsibilities, government community organisations, stakeholders, local internal governance arrangements and relationships with government, communities, other government agencies the external environment. and the Australian Government. Through these partnerships we deliver our strategic goals that improve access to safe, secure, appropriate and affordable housing, and develop strong regions and communities for Territorians. We have more than 670 staff, spread across five regions, who deliver the agency’s core services. To succeed in the complex and challenging environment in which we operate, we rely on our people understanding and demonstrating a commitment to delivering outcomes for all Territorians. We value the diversity of our staff, and their combined capacity in delivering our services to urban and remote areas. 2 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES › Chief Executives’ Message Key achievements 2011-12 Strategic Goal 1 Strategic Goal 2 Improve access to safe, secure, Strong regions, communities and appropriate and affordable housing local governments • Under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote • Prepared the final six Local Implementation Plans (LIPs) Indigenous Housing (NPA RIH), built 356 new houses and for Ali Curung, Borroloola, Papunya, Elliott, Kalkarindji/ completed 805 refurbishments and rebuilds in a number Daguragu and Ramingining. of remote Indigenous communities and town camps across the Territory. This includes new subdivisions in • Executed long-term leases over 61 parcels of Aboriginal Maningrida, Galiwin’ku, Gunbalanya, Wurrumiyanga, land occupied by Northern Territory Government Wadeye and Umbakumba. infrastructure on the Tiwi Islands and on Groote Eylandt. This is the first tranche of the 1471 lots that require • Major remote headworks and upgrades completed long-term tenure. (including electrical, water and sewerage assets) to support the significant increase in additional housing, • Reviewed the financial sustainability of Shire Councils. where needed. • Supported 530 jobs and employment of 20 mentors • Implemented the Public Housing Safety Strategy, including for Shire Councils through the Shires Indigenous new Public Housing Safety Officers and a Three Strike Policy Workforce Package. to assist in making public housing a safer place to live. • Published economic profiles for Gunbalanya, Ntaria, • Provided tenancy support to more than 600 households, Ngukurr and Yirrkala. through seven service providers, across the Territory. • Held Futures Forums in Yirrkala, Ramingining • Completed 87 new social housing dwellings in Alice and Milingimbi. Springs and Darwin. • Supported up to 100 Indigenous Territorians through • Supported more than 600 transitional and short-term the Indigenous Business Development Program. accommodation beds for homeless people, and those at Distributed $354 000 to support 21 Indigenous risk of homelessness. businesses and organisations. • Established new company Venture Housing providing • Opened Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) offices affordable housing for Territorians. in Maningrida, Gunbalanya, Wadeye, Groote Eylandt, Wurrumiyanga, Nhulunbuy, Papunya, Yuendumu • Received 264 HOMESTART NT applications and issued and Ntaria, increasing capacity with 27 community- 166 loans. based interpreters. • Assisted with the sale of 21 new affordable housing units • Supported 540 homelands through grant funding to for low to middle-income earners at Johnston Stage 1A, 34 service providers, and a further $4 million in priced between $320 000 and $390 000. capital grant expenditure. • Built two new senior villages in Bellamack and Larapinta, adding 58 new units to the public housing stock. ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 3 › Chief Executives’ Message Strategic Goal 3 A collaborative, influential and capable organisation • Established a Remote Infrastructure Program Office that On Saturday 25 August 2012, the NT Election was held coordinates, facilitates and manages the delivery of resulting in a change of government. The Country Liberal infrastructure projects in remote communities on behalf Government was sworn in on 1 September 2012 with new of government. agency arrangements announced on the 4 September 2012. • Increased investment in corporate learning and development The new agency structure and Ministry reflects a strong for our employees. focus on the regions and remote communities. The new arrangements resulted in the Department of Housing, • Conducted comprehensive strategic and